We Have Discovered Life

One thing about viewing the cold-crisped, brown landscape from my window, one only sees the wider view.  But with time and warmer weather permitting, I've been able to get out in the garden and start trimming away some of the winter damage.  And this closer view allowed for the discovery of new green growth.

Spanish Bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica) have been popping out the ground and growing fast.  Hope they set some blooms this year.

Lady Tulips (Tulipa clusiana) did well last year and this year the number of sprouts has increased (I really like their blue-green color).  Hope I have even more of their lovely flowers,

Toad Lily (Tricyrtis lasiocarpa) have begun to emerge.  The potted one has added over a foot of growth already, but the ground-bound plants are just now emerging.

Missouri Violet (Viola missouriensis) got seriously beat up by tree trimmers and their subsequent brush removal.  But new tiny leaves are appearing.

Texas Gold Columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinckleyana) came through the long freeze fairly well, and now its even putting out plenty of new leaves.

Southern Wood Fern (Dryopteris normalis) is relatively new to my garden.  As expected, the fronds got freeze-dried.  But tiny (only about a quarter inch) fiddleheads are sprouting from the leaf litter.

Sparkler Sedge (Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler') is another plant that handled the winter quite well.  It too is already putting out new growth.

Even though in a fairly shady area, the Anthony Waterer Spirea (Spiraea x bumalda 'Anthony Waterer') is already putting out new leaves.  Just three feet away and receiving more sunlight, the Goldmound Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound') has yet to make a showing.

Though the entire pond was covered with a sheet of ice for several days, it didn't take the Aztec Arrowhead (Sagittaria montevidensis) long to send up its first leaf.

Several of my scattered Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp.) have already sprouted the beginnings of their strap-like foliage.

Two of the three Friendship Plants (Billbergia nutans) were left uncovered and may be a loss.  But one, due to its location near some Aloes, got some cover.  Though also damaged, it is rewarding this extra attention by already starting to produce some bloom stalks.

Though still early, hints of spring are certainly in the air...and in the plants.